I have a fancy client steak dinner tonight

[The Drunken Actuary]

Any advice on what to do if the douche bag of the group insists on picking up the tab and not tipping the waitress (let's assume she's hot)?

Also, any advice on dessert wines or other wine issues that might come up?

Also also, is it acceptable to drink beer with steak in such a fancy setting or must I order wine? What kind of beer says "not a wine drinker, but keeping it classy for a classy fancy place like this"? And what do I do if I order a fancy beer and some other dude asks to try it?

Also also also, there's a hippy in the group. What if she starts talking about how she can't eat beef because of whatever her hippie issues are? How can I head her off so she doesn't embarrass the firm (mine)?

Finally, jealous?

[Cannonball]

1. Slip a $50 into her shirt.

2. No, sissy.

3. Fancy beer: Stella Artois. Good tastin', too.

4. Beforehand you need to tell hippie check that she needs to eat her steak for the greater good. Tell her "give my meat a chance."

5. Hell no. While you're in a stuffy high class snob house I'll be guzzling yummy brew at Hooters. Jealous?

[abwoc]

1) Steak knife fight.
2) Don't be a pussy.
3) Wine is for girls, scotch is for men. Order accordingly.
4) If the hippie works for your firm, uh, she should know to keep her mouth both shut and full of steak. If she works for the client, just call ahead and make sure they have some hay or something available at the restaurant.
5) A little.
6) Dutch rudder.

[Loner]

Any advice on what to do if the douche bag of the group insists on picking up the tab and not tipping the waitress (let's assume she's hot)?

Also, any advice on dessert wines or other wine issues that might come up?

Also also, is it acceptable to drink beer with steak in such a fancy setting or must I order wine? What kind of beer says "not a wine drinker, but keeping it classy for a classy fancy place like this"?

Also also also, there's a hippy in the group. What if she starts talking about how she can't eat beef because of whatever her hippie issues are? How can I head her off so she doesn't embarrass the firm (mine)?

Finally, jealous?

RN

[Chief Petosky]

I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

[The Drunken Actuary]

RN

Only the first two are R's to be N'd. The rest is completely legit.

[General Apathy]

Any advice on what to do if the douche bag of the group insists on picking up the tab and not tipping the waitress (let's assume she's hot)?

Also, any advice on dessert wines or other wine issues that might come up?

Also also, is it acceptable to drink beer with steak in such a fancy setting or must I order wine? What kind of beer says "not a wine drinker, but keeping it classy for a classy fancy place like this"?

Also also also, there's a hippy in the group. What if she starts talking about how she can't eat beef because of whatever her hippie issues are? How can I head her off so she doesn't embarrass the firm (mine)?

Finally, jealous?

I don't think Longhorn even has a winelist

[The Drunken Actuary]

I don't think Longhorn even has a winelist

You insult me!

[General Apathy]

Sizzler?

[The Drunken Actuary]

5. Hell no. While you're in a stuffy high class snob house I'll be guzzling yummy brew at Hooters. Jealous?
Actually yes, Jackie, Casey, and Stephanie are working tonight and I would normally go on such a trifecta but this stupid client dinner came up.

[Darkness Falls]

2. No, sissy.


1
2) Don't be a pussy.
3) Wine is for girls, scotch is for men. Order accordingly.


:shake:

As for pairing wine with a good steak you can't go wrong with a Chateauneuf du Pape.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Sizzler?So?

[abwoc]

I don't think Longhorn even has a winelist

:lol:

[abwoc]

:shake:

As for pairing wine with a good steak you can go wrong with a Chateauneuf du Pape.

:usa:

[The Drunken Actuary]

I shall post from dinner tonight. I'm leaving her shortly, stopping in to see Steph, Jacki, and casey before heading to my fancy meal. I need some boobies and beer to loosen up a bit first. It's me, one other dude, and a bunch of [non hot] women. Gawd help me.

[General Apathy]

Tell Jacki hey

[Hugh Jass]

order a bottle of scotch for yourself and tell the jerk in your group he can't have any.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Tell Jacki hey

Will do. I'll try to snap a picture of her for you and post it later.

[The Drunken Actuary]

order a bottle of scotch for yourself and tell the jerk in your group he can't have any.

I'm probably sticking to beer.

[The Drunken Actuary]

order a bottle of scotch for yourself and tell the jerk in your group he can't have any.

:tup:

[The Drunken Actuary]

Oh, and what do I do if I order a fancy beer and some other dude asks for a taste? (That's good enough to put in the OP).

[nonactuarialactuary]

3. Fancy beer: Stella Artois. Good tastin', too.



:iatp:

Great tasting, but not so obscure that places won't have it.

[General Apathy]

Ask for a beer list

See if the Sommelier will chat with you about beer

[The Drunken Actuary]

:iatp:

Great tasting, but not so obscure that places won't have it.
That's kind of a girl beer. I was thinking a Beck's Dark, Sam Adams or maybe Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

[MountainGirl]

Fin du monde

[Darkness Falls]

Does the restaurant you're going to have a website tDA?

[Darkness Falls]

Fin du monde

The beer? With a good steak ... blasphemy.

[Gonzo]

remember to ask for A1 sauce

[FormLetter]

If they don't have A1, then ketchup will do.

[Cannonball]

:lol:

[FormLetter]

Yeah the AO NAT troll gauntlet is like a well-oiled machine. We aren't greedy either, as you can tell by the numerous assists.

[Chronus]

If they don't have A1, then ketchup will do.

Make sure to order your steak well done. That way you'll get the full flavor of the ketchup and it won't be tainted by any juiciness from the meat.

[FormLetter]

Plus you don't want the steak juice to have a chance at touching the potatoes or vegetables on your plate.

[Loner]

Oh, and what do I do if I order a fancy beer and some other dude asks for a taste? (That's good enough to put in the OP).

Tell him if he expects you to share your beer, he needs to put out.

[Cannonball]

And here I was thinking that TDA should try to impress everyone by ordering Grey Poupon. Thanks fellas.

[MountainGirl]

The beer? With a good steak ... blasphemy.
Is it? I don't eat steak. I'm one of those damn hippies

[Cannonball]

I think he should order a steak "with plenty of gristel" and to please bring his Blatz in a can.

[A Student]

A dark beer goes well with steak. If there is a local brewery that you know, you could ask for one of their beers (impress your guests if they are from out of town).

Newcastle brown ale is good. A porter would be appropriate as well. Guiness is probably okay, but the guests may think you're just a poser.

[Hugh Jass]

when you're in the bathroom with one of the clients, comment on how urine is sterile

[Cannonball]

when you're in the bathroom with one of the clients, comment on how urine is sterile

He should also ask the client if he's ever had urine on steak, then lick his lips and go "Mmmmmmmmmm".

[Hugh Jass]

ask the waitress "when you gonna let me tip that"



get it?

[Gonzo]

ask the waitress "when you gonna let me tip that"



get it?

:lol: that's a good one

[Chronus]

God I really want a good steak now. This is making me hungry.

[Hugh Jass]

of course you must tell you're client how interested you are in doing business with them, so you have to tell them " I do not want to lose this deal!"

[Entropy]

Beer with steak?
Maybe this?
http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/raison-detre.htm

[FormLetter]

Straub

[IMP]

i have no advice for you. i just want to join so i can have a free awesome filet mignon with all the awesome red wine i want.

[Patrick Bauer]

Any advice on what to do if the douche bag of the group insists on picking up the tab and not tipping the waitress (let's assume she's hot)?

Also, any advice on dessert wines or other wine issues that might come up?

Also also, is it acceptable to drink beer with steak in such a fancy setting or must I order wine? What kind of beer says "not a wine drinker, but keeping it classy for a classy fancy place like this"? And what do I do if I order a fancy beer and some other dude asks to try it?

Also also also, there's a hippy in the group. What if she starts talking about how she can't eat beef because of whatever her hippie issues are? How can I head her off so she doesn't embarrass the firm (mine)?

Finally, jealous?

Give just the tip to the waitress directly.

Drink a local beer. I live in Ohio so it's usually a Great Lakes (http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/) or a Columbus Ale. (http://www.columbusbrewing.com/pages/LightBox/Beers1.html) (Skip the scotch make it Maker's Mark neat.)

If the dude asks to taste your beer order him one with his own glass. Pour him a little if he doesn't like it you got yourself an extra beer.

Let the hippie embarrass the firm. How you handle this situation will demonstrate to the client that you are in control and can even put up with dirty hippies if they can make you some money.

I am not jealous. I do not enjoy working meals.

[llcooljabe]

I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

Stay thirsty, my friends.

[FormLetter]

TDA has hippy patrol tonight. Hahahaha.

[Brutè]

Drink a local beer. I live in Ohio so it's usually a Columbus Ale. (http://www.columbusbrewing.com/pages/LightBox/Beers1.html) :iatp:

[vtek]

3. Fancy beer: Stella Artois. Good tastin', too.

:shake:

and the olive garden is a fancy restaurant.

[vtek]

the reason you are not a wine drinker is because you have not had any good ones. as darkness falls suggested, a châteauneuf-du-pape marries very well with steak, but i love me a bordelais, especially a nice pomerol. these are not cheap, however, but neither is a good cdp. other bordeaux are trickier, because they can be hit or miss depending on the year and the terroir, but if you find a good one, it will be superb. go with a 2003 or 2005 if ordering a european wine, although 2007s are starting to come of age.

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.

[FormLetter]

That wine guidance would like be misused if there is a single bump in the road, like "Sir, we are currently out of the 2003 and 2005 Bordeaux, what would you like in its stead?" Better not to act like a swashbuckler when one isn't.

[FormLetter]

TDA, how did it go?

[Hugh Jass]

the reason you are not a wine drinker is because you have not had any good ones. as darkness falls suggested, a châteauneuf-du-pape marries very well with steak, but i love me a bordelais, especially a nice pomerol. these are not cheap, however, but neither is a good cdp. other bordeaux are trickier, because they can be hit or miss depending on the year and the terroir, but if you find a good one, it will be superb. go with a 2003 or 2005 if ordering a european wine, although 2007s are starting to come of age.

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.


fanciest post of the year?

[vtek]

That wine guidance would like be misused if there is a single bump in the road, like "Sir, we are currently out of the 2003 and 2005 Bordeaux, what would you like in its stead?" Better not to act like a swashbuckler when one isn't.

in that case, it's never wrong to ask the sommelier for a recommendation

[Cannonball]

:shake:

and the olive garden is a fancy restaurant.

Pardon moi, ma bete grosse vache. Mange merde!

[Cannonball]

fanciest post of the year?

Most pretentious.

[vtek]

Most pretentious.

:roll:

some people actually know a thing or two about wines. it's not rocket surgery.

[The Drunken Actuary]

TDA, how did it go?

Fine. I had Sierra Nevada and no one asked for a sip. I did not have time to see my Hooters babes beforhand so that kind of sucked. The steak was OK but not worth $100 per person. :shrug:

[DeepPurple]

the reason you are not a wine drinker is because you have not had any good ones. as darkness falls suggested, a châteauneuf-du-pape marries very well with steak, but i love me a bordelais, especially a nice pomerol. these are not cheap, however, but neither is a good cdp. other bordeaux are trickier, because they can be hit or miss depending on the year and the terroir, but if you find a good one, it will be superb. go with a 2003 or 2005 if ordering a european wine, although 2007s are starting to come of age.

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.


The problem with the French is that they're French.

California wines are better and easier to understand.

Get a cabernet or cabernet-based red blend (look for words like Meritage or Claret) from Napa or Sonoma. Then bring up the fact that French wines are made using American vine grafts because of aphid infestations in France in the 1800s.


Red Meat, Red Wine. Go big or go home.

[General Apathy]

California wines are better and easier to understand.



French wines are certainly foreign. I wouldn't say better.

[General Apathy]

TDA you need to at least make up some drama. That is the AO standard for Steakhouse stories.

[Hugh Jass]

TDA, were you wearing some pants that you were going to return after dinner? But then you spilled A1 on them, thereby ruining the very pants you were going to return?

[Darkness Falls]

:roll:

some people actually know a thing or two about wines. it's not rocket surgery.

:iatp:

Once you start knowing wines the pairings with food become easier to understand. Of course everyone has their own preferences within the different grape varieties or terroirs, however I'm sure even the most ardent beer lover could find a wine he enjoys and that goes with the meal.

[SirVLCIV]

the reason you are not a wine drinker is because you have not had any good ones. as darkness falls suggested, a châteauneuf-du-pape marries very well with steak, but i love me a bordelais, especially a nice pomerol. these are not cheap, however, but neither is a good cdp. other bordeaux are trickier, because they can be hit or miss depending on the year and the terroir, but if you find a good one, it will be superb. go with a 2003 or 2005 if ordering a european wine, although 2007s are starting to come of age.

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.

Mmm... I love me a good Sauternes.

With a chocolate dessert, you can't go wrong with Malmsey Madeira, either.

[Hugh Jass]

I drink the 7.99/bottle wine. Because I'm cheap.

[General Apathy]

Thrifty Hugh

Thrifty

[Hugh Jass]

Thrifty Hugh

Thrifty

ok, fine. I can definitely tell a good wine from a bad wine. I prefer the really good stuff, but with the quantities I drink and my salary, I have to settle on stuff that tastes ok. Better than box wine.

[Darkness Falls]

The problem with the French is that they're French.

:shake: Mais vraiment


California wines are better and easier to understand.


I won't deny that there are some good Californian wines, but easier to understand :rofl: It's much easier to know what to expect with the French AoC system. One issue with those wines (at least in Canada and from what I've heard from Europeans) is that you have to pay more for a similar quality wine. This probably doesn't apply when in the USA though.

[Hugh Jass]

I drink South American and Australian wines. Because those are the thriftiest.

[Darkness Falls]

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.

Mmm... I love me a good Sauternes.

With a chocolate dessert, you can't go wrong with Malmsey Madeira, either.


A dessert wine I recently discovered is Mas Amiel Prestige 15 ans. It's a brilliant example of a Maury ... just a lovely wine to slowly sip during a conversation.

[Darkness Falls]

I drink South American and Australian wines. Because those are the thriftiest.

You can get some really nice wines from Spain or Portugal that aren't too expensive too.

[DeepPurple]

:shake: Mais vraiment



:moon2:

Maird for brains.

:moon2:

[Darkness Falls]

Maird for brains.

???

[FormLetter]

A dessert wine I recently discovered is Mas Amiel Prestige 15 ans. It's a brilliant example of a Maury ... just a lovely wine to slowly sip during a conversation.

Why not opt for the fruit-based dessert and get an ice wine? Easy.

With steak: shiraz syrah whatever

There is no need to recognize particular regions.

[vtek]

:shake: Mais vraiment




I won't deny that there are some good Californian wines, but easier to understand :rofl: It's much easier to know what to expect with the French AoC system. One issue with those wines (at least in Canada and from what I've heard from Europeans) is that you have to pay more for a similar quality wine. This probably doesn't apply when in the USA though.

the contrôle d'origine in france is definitely a great system, and they have something similar implemented in italy.

the biggest difference between wine culture in france and north america is that in france, the wines are all listed by appelation while in north america, it's all by grape variety. if you order a merlot or pinot noir in france, it won't mean anything to anyone because that could be from anywhere, and besides, most wines have a complicated blend of juices from many different grape varieties that varies year by year, so listing a wine by grape just makes no sense here.

[FormLetter]

ok, fine. I can definitely tell a good wine from a bad wine. I prefer the really good stuff, but with the quantities I drink and my salary, I have to settle on stuff that tastes ok. Better than box wine.

A good wine is one that the drinker enjoys and is comfortable fitting into their budget. A bad one is one that meets one or neither of those qualities.

[vtek]

Why not opt for the fruit-based dessert and get an ice wine? Easy.

With steak: shiraz syrah whatever

There is no need to recognize particular regions.

ice wine will be similar in price and style to a sauternes, but the subtleties will be much different. sauternes is produced from grapes with noble rot, while ice wines are made from grapes picked after the first freeze of the winter. both methods mean the grapes are sweeter, but i find sauternes are more subtle and complicated in taste.

[vtek]

A good wine is one that the drinker enjoys and is comfortable fitting into their budget. A bad one is one that meets one or neither of those qualities.

no, a $1000 bottle of pétrus is still a good wine, though way out of my budget.

[Hugh Jass]

A good wine is one that the drinker enjoys and is comfortable fitting into their budget. A bad one is one that meets one or neither of those qualities.

I'm sure the FCASs/FSAs on here would be pissed off if they had to drink the wine I drink.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the wine I drink other than the price tag is so low, a bunch of richies on here would turn their noses up to it.

the wine I drink 1) tastes good 2) doesn't give you a headache

I've had some really good local wines that are pretty cheap, but you have to drive to the vineyard to get them, so I just drink the concha y toro from the grocery store.

[vtek]

I'm sure the FCASs/FSAs on here would be pissed off if they had to drink the wine I drink.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the wine I drink other than the price tag is so low, a bunch of richies on here would turn their noses up to it.

the wine I drink 1) tastes good 2) doesn't give you a headache

I've had some really good local wines that are pretty cheap, but you have to drive to the vineyard to get them, so I just drink the concha y toro from the grocery store.

nothing wrong with cheap wines.

i recently found an excellent 2006 fronton that i can get in the supermarkets for about 5€ (roughly $7). this wine has all the qualities of a wine worth four times as much and tannin levels that will see it improve further for another few years. it can be hit or miss with cheap wines, but here in france at least, the downside is almost none as you have to try really hard to find an undrinkable wine.

nothing wrong with south american, australian or american wine either. i am just more familiar with french wines because i live here, and it would be a shame to not take advantage of them while living here.

[General Apathy]

I'm sure the FCASs/FSAs on here would be pissed off if they had to drink the wine I drink.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the wine I drink other than the price tag is so low, a bunch of richies on here would turn their noses up to it.

the wine I drink 1) tastes good 2) doesn't give you a headache

I've had some really good local wines that are pretty cheap, but you have to drive to the vineyard to get them, so I just drink the concha y toro from the grocery store.

nothing wrong with Concha

[greenman]

TDA, were you wearing some pants that you were going to return after dinner? But then you spilled A1 on them, thereby ruining the very pants you were going to return?

RN

[Hugh Jass]

nothing wrong with Concha

ok, you and vtek are invited to drink some concha with me at my house. I'm planning on putting a courtyard style patio in and a pool table for the game room. Probably some darts, too.

[FormLetter]

ice wine will be similar in price and style to a sauternes, but the subtleties will be much different. sauternes is produced from grapes with noble rot, while ice wines are made from grapes picked after the first freeze of the winter. both methods mean the grapes are sweeter, but i find sauternes are more subtle and complicated in taste.

How many blind taste tests have you done that included both?

[Hugh Jass]

oh, Formletter always has a standing invitation.

[The Drunken Actuary]

TDA, were you wearing some pants that you were going to return after dinner? But then you spilled A1 on them, thereby ruining the very pants you were going to return?

No, that was Peterman.

[FormLetter]

I'm sure the FCASs/FSAs on here would be pissed off if they had to drink the wine I drink.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the wine I drink other than the price tag is so low, a bunch of richies on here would turn their noses up to it.

the wine I drink 1) tastes good 2) doesn't give you a headache

I've had some really good local wines that are pretty cheap, but you have to drive to the vineyard to get them, so I just drink the concha y toro from the grocery store.

I'd like to see people do more blind taste tests to prove their belief of what wine is "good".

I loved watching that Gordon Ramsey (sp?) show where he had fancy people do blind taste tests with fancy and cheap wines and it wasn't uncommon for people to prefer the cheap stuff. Sometimes they would choose some "crappy" wine over the wine that was their own brand or vintage.

[vtek]

How many blind taste tests have you done that included both?

zero.

that's how noticeable the difference was

[Hugh Jass]

I'd like to see people do more blind taste tests to prove their belief of what wine is "good".

I loved watching that Gordon Ramsey (sp?) show where he had fancy people do blind taste tests with fancy and cheap wines and it wasn't uncommon for people to prefer the cheap stuff. Sometimes they would choose some "crappy" wine over the wine that was their own brand or vintage.

haha, that's awesome. I've wondered that before as I'm shopping at the grocery store. How much better is that $25 bottle (or even more expensive) than my $7.99 bottle? Can you really taste that much difference? Seems like super rich people waste a lot of money on this stuff (I also think it's wasteful to spend $100 on a steak dinner. I can make my own steaks that are friggin awesome). If I were a rich person, I'd rather spend the difference on good wine vs. commoner wine on gold coins or something that will last, instead of going into my body and coming out in my waste after a few hours.

[vtek]

I'd like to see people do more blind taste tests to prove their belief of what wine is "good".

I loved watching that Gordon Ramsey (sp?) show where he had fancy people do blind taste tests with fancy and cheap wines and it wasn't uncommon for people to prefer the cheap stuff. Sometimes they would choose some "crappy" wine over the wine that was their own brand or vintage.

it makes a huge difference the order in which you drink your wines. if you drink a sweet wine before you drink a dry wine, you won't appreciate the latter. also, you need to try the younger wines before the older ones. blind taste tests are absolute rubbish if the taster's palate is not adequately cleansed between each sip.

[vtek]

ok, you and vtek are invited to drink some concha with me at my house. I'm planning on putting a courtyard style patio in and a pool table for the game room. Probably some darts, too.

alright, let me check my flights

[FormLetter]

it makes a huge difference the order in which you drink your wines. if you drink a sweet wine before you drink a dry wine, you won't appreciate the latter. also, you need to try the younger wines before the older ones. blind taste tests are absolute rubbish if the taster's palate is not adequately cleansed between each sip.

Right. So you taste the similar RS and cleanse your palate. Ramsey (Ramsay?) didn't mess that aspect up.

[General Apathy]

I'd like to see people do more blind taste tests to prove their belief of what wine is "good".

I loved watching that Gordon Ramsey (sp?) show where he had fancy people do blind taste tests with fancy and cheap wines and it wasn't uncommon for people to prefer the cheap stuff. Sometimes they would choose some "crappy" wine over the wine that was their own brand or vintage.

I am certain I could pick out a "good" wine vs a " bad wine." The difference is muddied by price. Concha always gets good scores from WS so i could easily find a $35 bottle that I don't like as much.

[Patrick Bauer]

ok, you and vtek are invited to drink some concha with me at my house. I'm planning on putting a courtyard style patio in and a pool table for the game room. Probably some darts, too.

If I bring over my jug of Carlo Rossi can I attend this soiree?

[Patrick Bauer]

i am just more familiar with french wines because i live here, and it would be a shame to not take advantage of them while living here.

I envy this opportunity.

[vtek]

Right. So you taste the similar RS and cleanse your palate. Ramsey (Ramsay?) didn't mess that aspect up.

if your point is that cheap wines can be as good or better than much more expensive wines, then i agree completely, but if your point is that there is no difference in tastes, then i could not disagree more. perhaps recognition bias does affect whether people *like* a wine or not, but it wouldn't affect whether or not they taste its qualities. that is to say, a strong characteristic that someone may notice in an expensive wine may become unpleasant if that person does not know that the wine is the expensive one, but that is not to say that that characteristic disappears.

[General Apathy]

haha, that's awesome. I've wondered that before as I'm shopping at the grocery store. How much better is that $25 bottle (or even more expensive) than my $7.99 bottle? Can you really taste that much difference? Seems like super rich people waste a lot of money on this stuff (I also think it's wasteful to spend $100 on a steak dinner. I can make my own steaks that are friggin awesome). If I were a rich person, I'd rather spend the difference on good wine vs. commoner wine on gold coins or something that will last, instead of going into my body and coming out in my waste after a few hours.

It is useless to analyze luxury vs necessity this way. Have you never spent more than the base amount on something for a hobby?

You always get diminishing returns on luxury. Either it makes you happy or it doesn't

[Hugh Jass]

If I bring over my jug of Carlo Rossi can I attend this soiree?

it wouldn't be a party without you.
yes.

[Hugh Jass]

It is useless to analyze luxury vs necessity this way. Have you never spent more than the base amount on something for a hobby?

You always get diminishing returns on luxury. Either it makes you happy or it doesn't

I find good bargains on craigslist. I recently purchased a fine flamenco/classical guitar from a guy who bought it directly from the luthier in madrid and handed me the receipts for it when I purchased it for him. I paid $850, the thing is worth probably $8500 at least. I waited 18 years to buy a nice instrument. And the quality of the sound is definitely way better than the crappy $150 Yamaha guitar I was playing.

This is not to say that I don;t waste money on stupid stuff like video games and stuff though.

[General Apathy]

I find good bargains on craigslist. I recently purchased a fine flamenco/classical guitar from a guy who bought it directly from the luthier in madrid and handed me the receipts for it when I purchased it for him. I paid $850, the thing is worth probably $8500 at least. I waited 18 years to buy a nice instrument. And the quality of the sound is definitely way better than the crappy $150 Yamaha guitar I was playing.

This is not to say that I don;t waste money on stupid stuff like video games and stuff though.

Thanks for proving my point.

As a non guitar player I probably could not tell the difference between the Yamaha and the flamenco. But it would be silly of me to criticize the extra $700 you spent since you can obviously tell the difference after years of training.

Same with wine

[Guerilla poster]

if your point is that cheap wines can be as good or better than much more expensive wines, then i agree completely, but if your point is that there is no difference in tastes, then i could not disagree more. perhaps recognition bias does affect whether people *like* a wine or not, but it wouldn't affect whether or not they taste its qualities. that is to say, a strong characteristic that someone may notice in an expensive wine may become unpleasant if that person does not know that the wine is the expensive one, but that is not to say that that characteristic disappears.


There is some French wine they sell in NY for 25 bucks which I have bought in France for 4 Euros. So i totally agree, price is somwehat meaningless.

[FormLetter]

Thanks for proving my point.

As a non guitar player I probably could not tell the difference between the Yamaha and the flamenco. But it would be silly of me to criticize the extra $700 you spent since you can obviously tell the difference after years of training.

Same with wine

I think Hugh Jass needs to be set on fire for such a ridiculous purchase.

A fire of AWESOME!

[FormLetter]

if your point is that cheap wines can be as good or better than much more expensive wines, then i agree completely, but if your point is that there is no difference in tastes, then i could not disagree more. perhaps recognition bias does affect whether people *like* a wine or not, but it wouldn't affect whether or not they taste its qualities. that is to say, a strong characteristic that someone may notice in an expensive wine may become unpleasant if that person does not know that the wine is the expensive one, but that is not to say that that characteristic disappears.

The bolded sentence sounds odd.

So if a characteristic is present in a wine, then the price of the wine can dictate appropriately whether that characteristic is pleasant or unpleasant?

[Hugh Jass]

Thanks for proving my point.

As a non guitar player I probably could not tell the difference between the Yamaha and the flamenco. But it would be silly of me to criticize the extra $700 you spent since you can obviously tell the difference after years of training.

Same with wine

ok

I bought 1 expensive guitar in 18 years

how much is spent on wine that needn't be dranken?

[Hugh Jass]

I think Hugh Jass needs to be set on fire for such a ridiculous purchase.

A fire of AWESOME!

:burn:

[vtek]

There is some French wine they sell in NY for 25 bucks which I have bought in France for 4 Euros. So i totally agree, price is somwehat meaningless.

there is obviously a strong correlation between price and quality, but just as with everything else on earth, that correlation is not perfect.

[Hugh Jass]

also, with some effort I could theoretically use that guitar to record CDs and sell them on the internet. You can't sell anyone your enjoyment of wine.

[FormLetter]

I just sold my wine enjoyment to a bum for $3. True story.

[General Apathy]

ok

I bought 1 expensive guitar in 18 years

how much is spent on wine that needn't be dranken?

$0. It all needs to be dranken

[vtek]

The bolded sentence sounds odd.

So if a characteristic is present in a wine, then the price of the wine can dictate appropriately whether that characteristic is pleasant or unpleasant?

i think that sometimes people are on the fence about whether or not they like something or not, though they definitely taste it, and they let the reputation of the wine sway their opinion.

i get this all the time with paintings. sometimes i see a painting in a museum and i can't make up my mind about whether or not i despise it or love it - i just know that i am not neutral about it. usually, however, if a painting elicits that kind of emotional response from me, it's because it has achieved what the artist wanted it to achieve, and so is good.

[FormLetter]

Yeah I drink wine and don't paint. Go figure.

[General Apathy]

i think that sometimes people are on the fence about whether or not they like something or not, though they definitely taste it, and they let the reputation of the wine sway their opinion.


Or the label

[General Apathy]

if you smoke pot would you ever spend extra money to get good weed?

[Hugh Jass]

if you smoke pot would you ever spend extra money to get good weed?

I would just grow my own

[Hugh Jass]

Or the label

..or the shape/color of the bottle.

[General Apathy]

I would just grow my own

I'm buying a vineyard then

[E. Blackadder]

What did the vegetables have?

[vividox]

Well, I'm at a good stopping point in my studying, and decided this thread needed more beer-snobbery.

3. Fancy beer: Stella Artois. Good tastin', too.

:shake: Fancy beer? It's the Bud Light of Europe. :exams: The classy name is about the only thing it's got going for it.
:iatp:
Great tasting, but not so obscure that places won't have it.
Great tasting compared to what? Cat piss? Stella Artois blows.
That's kind of a girl beer. I was thinking a Beck's Dark, Sam Adams or maybe Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
:iatp: Widely available staples that are much better than Stella.
Fin du monde
Perhaps a little too adventurous for the occasion. La Fin Du Monde is a Belgian Tripel, and usually is best savored on its own or with a small cheese pairing. It's way too much flavor to compete with a steak dinner. Plus, availability would be a big issue.
A dark beer goes well with steak. If there is a local brewery that you know, you could ask for one of their beers (impress your guests if they are from out of town).

Newcastle brown ale is good. A porter would be appropriate as well. Guiness is probably okay, but the guests may think you're just a poser.
Local is good. Dark is good. I don't think a Guinness would go well with a steak but I've never tried it.

Drink a local beer. I live in Ohio so it's usually a Great Lakes (http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/) or a Columbus Ale. (http://www.columbusbrewing.com/pages/LightBox/Beers1.html) (Skip the scotch make it Maker's Mark neat.)
:iatp: Don't know what local is for TDA but Great Lakes is a fine brewery.
Fine. I had Sierra Nevada and no one asked for a sip.
A solid choice. I would have liked to see what a restaurant like that had on their full beer menu. I'd guess they'd have a fairly wide selection.

[General Apathy]

I agree on Stella. It's the redneck beer of Europe. The wifebeater crowd drinks it in the Netherlands.

People like the name

[Hugh Jass]

I agree on Stella. It's the redneck beer of Europe. The wifebeater crowd drinks it in the Netherlands.

People like the name

Europe has rednecks and wifebeaters?


Is Sam Adams considered a good beer anymore?

[General Apathy]

Europe has rednecks and wifebeaters?


Is Sam Adams considered a good beer anymore?

Indeed

Indeed

[Hugh Jass]

stella is way better than bud

so european white trash> american white trash

[Guerilla poster]

stella is way better than bud

so european white trash> american white trash


In their beer tastes, indeed.

[Hugh Jass]

I like stella artois. I usually drink sierra nevada pale ale, but stella is ok. stella is pretty much like hieneken.

[vividox]

Is Sam Adams considered a good beer anymore?

It's usually one of the better beers restaurants serve. If I go to a liquor store, I am most likely not getting Sam Adams, though.

[abwoc]

TTS

[FormLetter]

I'm buying a vineyard then

There are vineyards for sale that cost less than a million. I'm in.

[FormLetter]

We will have a hell of a time settling on a name for the vineyard.

[FormLetter]

Nevermind I got it: The Actuarial Winepost

[bfore13]

Local is good. Dark is good. I don't think a Guinness would go well with a steak but I've never tried it.Everyone's tastes are different but I enjoy Guinness with steak - it's one of the few beers I'll drink with steak as I usually prefer red wine. The beer distributor owner near my old house recommended the pairing when I picked up a case.

[Redge]

the reason you are not a wine drinker is because you have not had any good ones. as darkness falls suggested, a châteauneuf-du-pape marries very well with steak, but i love me a bordelais, especially a nice pomerol. these are not cheap, however, but neither is a good cdp. other bordeaux are trickier, because they can be hit or miss depending on the year and the terroir, but if you find a good one, it will be superb. go with a 2003 or 2005 if ordering a european wine, although 2007s are starting to come of age.

for dessert, if everyone is ordering something chocolatey, order a banyuls or a maury; for everything else, get a sauternes or loupiac, with sauternes being the better choice.

Who knew Dr Lecter was also an actuary?

[Entropy]

Well, I'm at a good stopping point in my studying, and decided this thread needed more beer-snobbery.

:shake: Fancy beer? It's the Bud Light of Europe. :exams: The classy name is about the only thing it's got going for it.

Great tasting compared to what? Cat piss? Stella Artois blows.

:iatp: Widely available staples that are much better than Stella.

Perhaps a little too adventurous for the occasion. La Fin Du Monde is a Belgian Tripel, and usually is best savored on its own or with a small cheese pairing. It's way too much flavor to compete with a steak dinner. Plus, availability would be a big issue.

Local is good. Dark is good. I don't think a Guinness would go well with a steak but I've never tried it.

:iatp: Don't know what local is for TDA but Great Lakes is a fine brewery.

A solid choice. I would have liked to see what a restaurant like that had on their full beer menu. I'd guess they'd have a fairly wide selection.

Not even an honorable mention? Poo on you, sir. Poo. On. You.

[vividox]

Everyone's tastes are different but I enjoy Guinness with steak - it's one of the few beers I'll drink with steak as I usually prefer red wine. The beer distributor owner near my old house recommended the pairing when I picked up a case.

Interesting. I'll have to try that out sometime.

[vividox]

Not even an honorable mention? Poo on you, sir. Poo. On. You.

Cleveland Steamer Ale?

[Wino In Training]

ice wine will be similar in price and style to a sauternes, but the subtleties will be much different. sauternes is produced from grapes with noble rot, while ice wines are made from grapes picked after the first freeze of the winter. both methods mean the grapes are sweeter, but i find sauternes are more subtle and complicated in taste.

Frankly the best value for the buck on botrytis-affected wines would be a Tokaji Aszu (Hungarian dessert wine). If you can find one, for dessert a 5-puttonyos would be great (higher # = sweeter & richer; a measure of botrytis-affected concentration, rating up to 6). Tokaji Aszu is relatively affordable, with razor-sharp acidity on the end that will cut through just about anything (fruit, foie gras, blue cheese, you name it). Just make sure that the wine is sweeter than the dessert, otherwise it will pretty much taste like water.

(Oddly enough, a number of Tokaji Aszu vineyards are owned by insurance companies. They were instrumental in revitalizing what had become a crappy product.)

For chocolatey desserts - I agree with some of the previous suggestions. Banyuls if you're set on French.... however my personal fave would be Madeira, although I tend towards Bual rather than Malmsey. A bit more balance, and usually brighter acidity.

[Entropy]

Cleveland Steamer Ale?

Beer with steak?
Maybe this?
http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/raison-detre.htm

.

[vividox]

.

Oh, I guess I skipped right over it because it was a link and I was just looking for beer names. My search algorithm missed ya. Sorry bud.

[Entropy]

Oh, I guess I skipped right over it because it was a link and I was just looking for beer names. My search algorithm missed ya. Sorry bud.

Oh thank you thank you thank you ty ty ty ty tytytytytyty.
:toast:

[vividox]

Oh thank you thank you thank you ty ty ty ty tytytytytyty.
:toast:

:beer:

By the way, I haven't had the one Raison Detre yet. I need to find it.

[Entropy]

:beer:

By the way, I haven't had the one Raison Detre yet. I need to find it.

I really like the India Brown too, if you haven't had it. Incidentally, also probably pretty good with steak.

[FormLetter]

TDA - what did the vegetarian have?

[The Drunken Actuary]

TDA - what did the vegetarian have?

She's not a vegetarian, she's a hippie. She had fish.

[FormLetter]

Hopefully you murdered her.

[Redge]

She's not a vegetarian, she's a hippie. She had fish.

like the new avatar :tup:

[General Apathy]

Nevermind I got it: The Actuarial Winepost

Great.

What would our cabernet be named? Needs to be catchy

[FormLetter]

Great.

What would our cabernet be named? Needs to be catchy

Cabernet Some More Exams and Get Back to Us

[General Apathy]

Let's put that in the maybe pile

[vtek]

Frankly the best value for the buck on botrytis-affected wines would be a Tokaji Aszu (Hungarian dessert wine). If you can find one, for dessert a 5-puttonyos would be great (higher # = sweeter & richer; a measure of botrytis-affected concentration, rating up to 6). Tokaji Aszu is relatively affordable, with razor-sharp acidity on the end that will cut through just about anything (fruit, foie gras, blue cheese, you name it). Just make sure that the wine is sweeter than the dessert, otherwise it will pretty much taste like water.

(Oddly enough, a number of Tokaji Aszu vineyards are owned by insurance companies. They were instrumental in revitalizing what had become a crappy product.)

For chocolatey desserts - I agree with some of the previous suggestions. Banyuls if you're set on French.... however my personal fave would be Madeira, although I tend towards Bual rather than Malmsey. A bit more balance, and usually brighter acidity.

agreed on tokaij. i didn't mention it because i thought it would be unlikely that a restaurant would have it, but it is pretty much the same as sauternes. a good tokaij is not much cheaper, though. i do pick up a few bottles every time i am in budapest, however.

and yeah, axa owns some of the finest tokaij vineyards in hungary, but they also own the number two ranked sauternes.

[Hugh Jass]

I drank a litre of concha last night. Got a decent buzz on, slept great and feel fine today. All for the low price of 9.99 for 1.5L.

General Apathy, how about for the merlot we make we call it happy fukc juice? I think that would really boost sales.

[General Apathy]

That would definitely boost sales

[Hugh Jass]

we should make an absinthe, too.